Travel UKR to Crewe open day

UK RAILTOURS is operating a special train from London to the annual Direct Rail Services (DRS) open day at Crewe Gresty Bridge Depot on July 21.

Heading north from Euston, the train will be powered by one of the new Stadler-built Class 88 electro-diesels, arriving at Crewe late morning for a break of more than three hours.

On the return, a DRS Class 68 will take a circular route via Chester, Wrexham and Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sutton Park and Nuneaton, before rejoining the WCML for the return to London.

A range of DRS motive power present and past, technical demonstrations, trade and society stands and more will be on display at the event.

Running ‘pan down’, DRS Class 88 No. 88001 Revolution arrives at Crewe on February 10 with Pathfinder Tours’ ‘Blue Boys Ribble Rouser’ tour to Preston Docks. UK Railtours plan to use an ‘88’ on its trip to the DRS Crewe open day on July 21. BOB CRAGG

Gresty Bridge is a short walk from Crewe station.

Tour fares include entry to the open day, avoiding the need to queue at the depot gates.

Fares start at £79.50 in Standard Class, rising to £179 for First Class Dining. For more information go to website: www.ukrailtours.co.uk

UKR has also confirmed it will no longer be using the ‘Northern Belle’ train for luxury day and landcruise tours.

Since the train was sold by Belmond at the end of 2017, 100mph DRS Class 68s have been replaced by slower Class 57s, which are not able to maintain the required schedules in allotted paths from London Euston and King’s Cross – where the majority of UKR’s trains start. All planned UKR trips with the ‘Northern Belle’ for 2018 have been cancelled.

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